The Henry and Stark Health Department announces that November isNational Home Health Care Month. The theme for this year's observance is"Because There Is No Place Like Home." Pam Bennett, RN Director of HomeHealth Services with the Health Department, believes this is a great way tofocus attention on the thousands of dedicated professionals who have made ittheir work to enable people to stay in the comfort of their own home and getneeded medical and personal cares. "Every year National Home Health Month offers us an opportunity toremind each of us of the importance of these services to our aging andrecuperating population. Especially, with the proposed health careregulatory changes and their possible affect on client services." Founded in 1966, the Health Department has been providing home healthservices to this area's homebound patients and their families for over 45years. In honor of National Home Health Care Month the Health Department notesthe following facts:* The average Home Care Visits costs Medicare $150; the average hospital daycosts $1,500.* Nearly 12 million Americans now rely on Home Health Care. Medicare coversonly 3.5 million of them.* Home Care keeps families together.* Home Care promotes healing and prevents infection.* Statistics show home health patients get better faster in their own homes* Home Care improves quality of life and has been proven to extend life.* Home Care is the cost-effective health care solution. Health Department home health services include: skilled nursing andhome health aide visits; homecare assistant services; and speech, physical,and occupational therapies. The Health Department still believes "that there's no place like home"when you're recuperating from an illness or injury. Even with all thechallenges of Medicare and insurance companies, the Health Department homehealth staff remains committed to providing quality home health care, aswe've done for so many years. To arrange home health services, call theHealth Department at (309) 852-0197 (Henry) or 852-3115 (Stark). Or, formore information visit our website at www.henrystarkhealth.com or find us onFacebook at Henry and Stark County Health Departments.